Hey Guys,
I am writing up my order for flexbed. They have both 1/4 and 3/8ths height.
Which should I get? Why?
Thx,
Mannyrock
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Thicker for less noise, ....are you ballasting your track?......1/4” a lot of ballast, 3/8” ....have a dump truck bring the ballast,....😆
Pat
I used the 3/8" for all main line tracks, the 1/4" for sidings, yard lead, and yard tracks. Couldn't have been happier on how easy it was to work with.
I really prefer the 1/4 inch bed because I think is looks more proportional to rest of the layout. remember that 1/4 inch is equal to one foot so by the time you put the track on the bed, it will be elevated over two scale feet.
Good luck with your decision and happy railroading,
Don
IMO, Vertical compression is rather important when modeling in 0 scale. From buildings, bridges, mountains, trees, yes and even roadbed. Class 1A right of way can easily top 2' of ballast in this area of the country but I would never want to be the person using 1/2" roadbed. Vertical compression can be your friend.
Copyright law will not allow me to post them here but take a Google look at pictures of the proportions of trains running through real life truss bridges. Many could seem like N scale or HO scale trains in an 0 scale bridge.
Consider 1/4" roadbed with a 60 degree bevel out on the right of way then raise the decking under passenger station track to keep rail heights even to the R.O.W. Passenger car trucks sometimes do not play nicely with some grade changes in 2 rail.
For industry freight sidings you may think about taking a 24 to 30 inch length of flexible plywood and trim it to fit under the mainline turnout replacing the roadbed then extend it under the track going down into the siding. when using a sound board like Homasote simply allow the thin plywood ramp to be recessed flush into the Homasote. When going directly onto a plywood deck set a router to the thickness of the thin plywood and relieve sufficient material to receive the descending ramp for a flush fit.
Cedar shake singles can make for a nice transition to flat. Just cut back to the thickness you need and sand a long crown on it.
Done with Cork road bed. Matches 1/4" masonite.
I went with 1/4" foam roadbed, it also matches the height of stuff like cork roadbed, as well as the Atlas turntable tracks.
Silly question maybe - Is 1/4” cork roadbed still available ? - I believe it was from Mid-west products ?
Thx
@dorfj2 posted:Silly question maybe - Is 1/4” cork roadbed still available ? - I believe it was from Mid-west products ?
Thx
It is, but in my opinion, does a very poor job of noise insulation when compared to Vinylbed or Flexxbed.
George
@Mannyrock posted:Hey Guys,
I am writing up my order for flexbed. They have both 1/4 and 3/8ths height.
Which should I get? Why?
Thx,
Mannyrock
Manny,
I use the 3/8" for the Panhandle mainline and the 1/4" for the yards. This was the advice given in the OGR Primer many, many years ago. Frankly, it would have been better to stick with one height or the other. I do like the 3/8" as it gives me more flexibility in adding variety to the surrounding terrain. A 1/4" doesn't give you quite as much leeway.
George
That's why I went with foam. I also liked the stuff I used as it came in six foot lengths, less screwing around forming it to the track path. I'm quite happy with what I used, and it was half the price of Flexxbed and just the same. I got samples of both before I made my choice.
GunnrunnerJohn, What foam bedding was it that you used please?
Thx,
Mannyrock
That same seller also makes the foam roadbed in a wider format for Fastrack and used to make it in black color, also.
Works great, IMHO.
Personal taste I guess. I used 3/8 for mainlines, 1/4 for yards with Atlas O track/switches. Not completed but at ballasting I’ve done looks great on mains & yards. Easy to install, easy to form around curves, switches. More expensive than other products, but in my opinion worth it. Great product, people to work with. Highly recommend.
Not familiar with foam roadbed gunrunnerjohn referred to from Ebay, but if I was just starting, I would check it out & make a comparison.
I have used both. With homosote base noise is not a factor for 1/4 which looks a lot more scale
